A medical thriller in the vein of Robin Cook. I didn’t realize this was book 5 in the series, but I didn’t have any difficulties following along though I suspect the early sorry might have been easier to follow if I had another in the series.

Dr. Zol works with his fiancé to track down the root cause of a polio outbreak in Canada. The reader gets enough of the science to understand the plot yet not get bogged down in things they can’t understand.

Coming out timely as the world deals with the spread of a disease, the reader will either love it or hate it for this.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the three narrators. By having a cast of narration, I was able to easily follow which plot in the book was happening. They all did a great job of enhancing the story.

Bitter Paradise by Ross Pennie audiobook was interesting. I had a hard time following the narration due to how some islamic words were pronounced and I just couldn’t follow. I just reviewed Bitter Paradise by Ross Pennie. #BitterParadise #NetGalley

I was unable to review because of the early archive date. I listen to them the month they are published. Is there a reason there was such an early archive date?

I found this book to be really interesting. On the surface it appears to be a run-of-the-mill thriller, but it hides a lot of complex and intricate topics within it. Topics such as loss, grief, regret, jealousy, and others. So even if the thriller plot is not the most interesting plot you've ever come across, the journey is still very much worth it. Excellent narration also adds to the enjoyment.

This one was a hit and miss for me. I liked some of the perspectives and some of the storylines and some of the narrators. I just didn't like large parts of it as well. I enjoyed the parts about the outbreak. I mean, it was timely. I did hate a person who is supposedly a professional complaining about how hard it is to breath in an N95 mask. Do we really need that right now? I'm wearing one as I write this and doing great! The rest was either ugly or so fantastic I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it. When I weigh all of the parts, the good, the bad, and the ugly, I don't think it stands up.

Thank you NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read a good amount of thrillers, but I'm not sure I've ever read one that was specifically a "medical" thriller. I wasn't sure what to expect and thought I might find it a bit boring, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this read.

It was very smart and unexpected, while also being accessible and easy to follow, even with all of the technical medical aspects. I really enjoyed the character development as well, and overall would suggest this to most readers as it seems like the kind of read a lot of people will enjoy.

I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the narration as well.

I'm looking forward to reading other works by this author now - I'd suggest this book to anyone who loves thrillers that are more mental twists and not as action packed as some thrillers are.

Who else here loves a good medical mystery?! I listened to the audiobook of Bitter Paradise and found myself completely sucked into this story.

This book has it all… a polo outbreak, Syrian refuges, and a few mobsters! Dr. Zol Szabo and his fiancée Natasha Sharma are investigating a strain of vaccine-resistant polo in Ontario. They must race against the clock and figure out what is making these people sick before it spreads.

This is actually the fifth book in the Dr. Zol Szabo Medical Mystery series, but the first one I’ve read. Thankfully, I was able to jump right into the series with no problems. This series is written by Ross Pennie- an actual retired doctor who worked as a jungle surgeon, intensive-care pediatrician, and infectious disease specialist around the globe.

Words I’d use to describe Bitter Paradise- fast moving, timely, well-written, entertaining and intriguing.

Four stars! I recommend this one to fellow science nerds and anyone interested in epidemiology!

Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press Audio for a copy of this audiobook. It publishes on May 15, 2021!

This is the 5th book in this series but the first I have read. I don’t think it hurt me to not have read the others first as the story still flowed. I liked the medical mystery story line quite a bit. It was interesting and kept me interested. I did feel like a lot of the dialogue was clunky and distracted me. I liked the characters for the most part. I listened to advanced copy of this thanks to Netgalley and I was initially not very into the narrator although I do think it got a little better as it went on. The female narrated chapters were better in my opinion. I do think I will pick up more books in this series, and I like that the author although he is a doctor wrote in a way that it is understandable even as a lay person. I found the characters’ frustration when having to briefly wear N-95 masks ironic given the state of the world. I could have done without the secondary mob plot line.

Trauma surgeon, Dr. Hosam Khousa, is forced to leave his homeland of Syria after weeks of torture and the death of his daughter. His family flees to Canada as refugees, but he has to give up his medical profession and work as a barber. A polio outbreak in Hamilton, Ontario sends Dr. Zol on a mission to find its origin. How will Dr. Zol and Dr. Khousa's lives intertwine?

I really enjoyed this medical mystery. It is written with a blend of subplots that kept it interesting and entertaining. I now want to read other books by this author. I listened to the audio versions and the narrators did a great job of telling the story. I also like it when there are multiple narrators.

My thanks to Net Galley for a chance to review this audio. If anyone bothered by the current events of covid, this book does concern a pandemic.

A doctor forced to leave his country after a family member is murdered becomes a barber, only to witness a murder in his shop is the first story arc. Second arc is with a surgeon, his fiancee/investigator working to solve a polio outbreak that several children picked up at a school.trip. Third arc is an Italian mob war.

Enjoyed this very much. Intelligent characters, decent multiple narrators. I would definitely read another of this author/series.

Now I've gotta go read the other four before this one! Long sigh!!!!
This was a good medical thriller! The book was suspenseful enough to keep me going!
But if I'm being honest here.... This book just wasn't for me!
I would still recommend reading! It's a good book it just wasn't my thing!

Thanks NetGalley Publisher and Author for this e~arc!